MILFORD — City officials recently announced plans to conduct a survey of its residents, with a goal of identifying how to a better citizens’ quality of life.

The survey’s initiative to improve the Milford community of more than 10,000 is one that Mayor Archie Campbell fully supports. Listening to Milfordians is the perfect starting point, he said.

“Milford is a great community, and the results will help to create a better City. I encourage everyone living in Milford to take the survey and help us chart our community’s future,” the mayor said in a press release.

Postcards containing a link to the online survey are currently being sent to some residents. Others who have not received a mailing can access the survey soon here.

The project is expected to cost the city approximately $17,300. Data collection ends March 8, and the city is expecting results in early April.

The questionnaire’s development has been spearheaded by International City/County Management Association fellow Melody Barger, who collaborated with the online community engagement platform Polco. Polco’s National Community Survey instrument will then be used to compare Milford residents’ answers to other cities’ responses nationwide.

The NCS was one of the first scientific surveys to gather resident opinions on community issues, and since its inception, it has been used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states. Those localities have since reported better communication with leaders, improved service delivery and the ability to easily learn of residents’ priorities.